Development of Chhattisgarh derailed in BJP rule: Rahul

Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 16:05 [IST]

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Dhamtari/Mahasamund, Nov 12 (UNI) Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi today alleged that development process in Chhattisgarh had slowed down during the BJP regime and called upon tribal youths to support the Congress to bring the state back on track.

''While the country was progressing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the pace of development in Chhattisgarh has derailed,'' Mr Gandhi said, while addressing an election meeting here.

Alleging that the funds given for developmental works by the Centre did not reach people, he said most funds had been misused.

Making a scathing attack on the Raman Singh government, he said the condition of the people had not improved despite providing Rs 8,000 crore to the state, while big central projects like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan were yet to have any impact in the state.

Commenting upon the issue of terrorism raised by the BJP, the Congress leader asked if there was a problem of terrorism in Chhattisgarh, why were they accusing the centre.

''BJP leaders should stop blaming the Centre for their own lapses,'' he said.

In his about five-minute speech, the Congress General Secretary started his address by using Chhattisgarhi language, saying, ''Chhattisgarh is the best'', drawing huge applause from public.

He urged youths, especially tribal youths, to remove the BJP government, as their future was with the Congress.

''I am also the in-charge of youth Congress and NSUI and you all should join the Congress to take the state ahead,'' he told them.

Earlier, Congress President Sonia Gandhi was scheduled to address this meeting but in a last minute change, Mr Gandhi came in place of his mother.